Archive for February, 2007
Ronaldo a doubt for Fulham game
Ronaldo is apparently struggling to be fit for Saturday’s game at Fulham. Ronaldo could be seen nursing his foot in ice on the bench after being substituted in Tuesday Champions League tie and reports today suggest that an injury may have been caused by kicking some water bottles in frustration [source]. Apparently he wanted sparkling.
Ferguson is likely to rest some players for Saturday’s game regardless, so Ronaldo’s absence could mean another start for Fletcher with Park operating on the opposite flank. Managers with Ronaldo (that’s all of us ain’t it?) will be twitching over that sub/transfer button just about now.
ContinuedTerry out again
I’ve got to admit, I’m beginning to feel sorry for Chelsea. Having just got skipper John Terry back on the pitch, he’s back on crutches within a fortnight. Terry was stretchered off after just 11 mintues of the Champions League game with Porto with ankle ligament damage [source]. He’s certain to miss Sunday’s Carling Cup Final while Robben also faces a fitness test after coming off with a thigh strain. Robben seems likely to make it back for the next round of Premiership matches but any Fantasy Manager who snapped up Terry on his return, faces a worrying few days while the damage on his ankle is assessed.
*Update* There are all kinds of rumours of how long Terry will be out. The Guardian comment that the early prognosis is a 6 week absence. However, Terry will apparently have a scan tonight to assess the full damage.
Premiership Results Round Up
Here’s the goals, assists and bookings from tonights games in the Premiership…
ContinuedUpson could be fit for Charlton clash
There’s a round-up of the Upton Park injury crisis on the official site. Amongst the report there’s news of Lucas Neill, Danny Gabbidon, Lee Bowyer and James Collins. More significantly, there’s news that Matthew Upson could return to full-training this week and therefore be considered for the big game at Charlton on Saturday. If he makes it, he’s sure to face a stern test against another player back from injury, Darren Bent.
ContinuedPedersen and McCarthy return for Blackburn
Morten Gamst Pedersen is back in Blackburn’s lineup for their UEFA Cup clash on Thursday [source]. Pedersen has missed 3 games with a hamstring strain but will return to face Bayer Leverkusen and is therefore likely to face Portsmouth on Saturday. Benni McCarthy has also recovered from an ankle knock to take his place up front for Hughes’ side [source].
Pederson and McCarthy’s return is timely for those managers without Arsenal and Chelsea players this gameweek. Dunn is likely to make way in midfield, while Nonda will probably lose out to McCarthy, although Hughes could revert to 2 up front against Portsmouth with Nonda and Derbyshire competing for the place alongside McCarthy.
ContinuedChelsea’s Cole could return for Cup Final
According to Teamtalk, Ashley Cole could feature in Chelsea’s squad for Sunday’s Carling Cup final. Cole had strained a posterior cruciate ligament against Blackburn at the end of January and was expected to be out for at least a month. Cole himself had targetted a 3-week return [story] but it seems his progress has surpassed all expectations. Cole will play in Chelsea’s next reserve team outing against Reading and could be included in Mourinho’s squad on Sunday.
This is bad news for managers who jumped on the Bridge bandwagon. With Chelsea missing this gameweek, there’s likely to be an awful lot of managers getting rid once this news gets round.
ContinuedJohnson “a doubt” for Spurs game
Andy Johnson has picked up a knee injury in training and is now “a doubt” for tomorrow night’s game against Spurs according to Everton boss David Moyes [source].
Could be some kidology from Moyes but, if he is out, then Everton have problems. They’re already without McFadden and Van De Meyde through injury and Cahill through suspension. If Johnson did miss the game then Everton may have to go with Beattie and Anichebe up front. An untested pairing to say the least. Moyes isn’t the only one incovenienced by all this - I’m forced to change my scout picks selection now.
ContinuedCole laid low by toe injury
Various sources are reporting that Pompey striker Andrew Cole is out of Saturday’s clash with Blackburn with a toe injury [here's one]. Cole has apparently been undergoing pain-killing injections on the toe and won’t be considered for game against his former club.
In the same story, Redknapp is talking up Benjani after he omitted the player entirely from his previous squad. Harry has Kanu, Benjani and Lua Lua to choose from for the game at Blackburn. He appears to be hinting that Benjani’s workrate and pace will win him a place in the starting 11 over Kanu who could be rested.
ContinuedBolton snatch Martin
Sam Allardyce has pounced for Spanish centre-back Cesar Martin [source]. The Spaniard had been training for the past few weeks with Wigan but Sam acted quickly once the player had become a free ageny having cancelled his contract with Spanish club Levante. The move comes after Martin reportedly snubbed Bolton’s £1 million approach in the summer, electing instead to join newly-promoted Levante from Deportivo.
His arrival will certainly bolster the Bolton backline. The club have just 3 centre-backs on their books and one of those, Ben Heim, is a free agent in the summer. Allardyce admits that the Spaniard needs to work on his fitness but is already talking up Martin’s chances of breaking into the side this season.
Martin had appeared just three times this season for Levante, following the move from Deportivo, where he spent 7 seasons. He’s been capped 12 times for Spain between 1999 and 2004 and interestingly, chipped in with 3 goals.
ContinuedLarsson leaving in March
Henrik Larsson has cleared up his situation at Man United for us. Stories and reports this morning confirm that the Swede will not be extending his deal beyond March 12. Larsson will head back to Sweden once his loan period finishes. [source].
This obviously means they’ll be a lot of managers offloading the striker in just a few weeks (so maybe get in early if declining player value is a factor) plus they’ll be a lot more managers having another look at Saha. He started the season on fire and looked every bit a quality signing. Injuries and Larsson’s arrival soon saw this early form fade, but now Larsson is departing and Saha is getting back to match fitness, he suddenly looks a worthwhile proposition again.
ContinuedReserve Reports
There were a few players back from injury and in reserve team action tonight. Craig Gardner returned for Aston Villa and played out the entire 90 minutes in a 3-1 win over Charlton. Meanwhile Sheffield United fielded club captain Chris Morgan, after suspension had kept him out since New Year’s Day. He was withdrawn at half-time which indicates he may come into first team reckoning on Saturday at Liverpool. Mikele Leigertwood also appeared as sub in a 1-0. His first appearance since his injury on December 30. Finally, Watford had both James Chambers and Clarke Carlisle in their lineup against Fulham in a 3-1 win.
Nothing too significant here. Morgan looks set to regain his place in Sheffield United’s lineup while Leigertwood might be worth considering again if he’s classed as a midfielder in your game. He many struggle to regain a place though. Gardner is unlikely to find his way into the Villa starting 11 right now after they’ve switched to 4-3-3. Chambers will threaten Mariappa for the right back spot once Wednesday’s game at Wigan is out of the way.
ContinuedFA Cup Quarter Final Draw
Aside from Wigan snapping up Nash from Preston, it’s all a bit quiet today, so thank god for El Tel, Steve McClaren and a velvet bag for brightening things up. Venables even had the decency to draw his two old clubs for what appears, on paper at least, the plumb tie of the round.
Yep, Chelsea will play Spurs in an all London affair at Stamford Bridge, while Arsenal will take on Manchester City, should they get past the stubborn obstacle that is Blackburn. Man United meanwhile have a tricky away tie at either Boro or West Brom if Ferguson’s side can overcome Reading. Finally Ian Holloway’s Plymouth is rewarded for their progress with a tie against Watford, the very side that broke their hearts in the 1984 semi-final. Ah, George Reilly - now he was a proper centre forward.
ContinuedFA Cup 5th Round Results Round-up
The results are all in so it’s time to sieve through the points and team news that emerged from this weeks Cup games…
Continued
